Travel Light: Using Luggage Storage and Delivery in Japan

Everything you need to know to travel without your luggage across Japan

Suitcases are sturdy pieces of travel gear, and most travelers would bring at least one or two pieces of luggage on a trip to Japan - more space to pack in all the must-buys. As useful as they are, suitcases can also pose unnecessary challenges for travelers, especially when moving between places and taking public transport. Thankfully in Japan, luggage storage and delivery services are reliable and convenient, and allow for hands-free travel in the country.

This article was made in collaboration with Sagawa Express, one of the major delivery companies in Japan, to explain luggage storage and delivery services as well as to illustrate what to do at a service counter. Sagawa Express has about 40 service counters at which you can store, send and receive luggage. The above number is accurate as of October 2025.

Map of Japan showing the cities with Sagawa Express service counters

About luggage storage

When it comes to luggage storage, lockers are typically the first option travelers think of. Lockers are widespread and can be found at almost any train station or large bus terminal. Depending on the type of locker, modern keyless lockers accept IC cards or cash for payment, while key-operated lockers accept 100 yen coins only.

The cost of using a coin locker ranges from 400-800 yen per day. If you need to retrieve something from your locked locker, it is important to note that once a locker is unlocked, the fee will have to be paid again to lock it.

A bank of coin lockers. Green lights typically indicate empty lockers, while red means they are occupied

In addition to lockers, luggage storage counters are typically found in or near major train stations. These counters bridge the gap between insufficient number of lockers and luggage that cannot fit into one; one of the frequently encountered situations is when the bigger lockers that can fit a large suitcase are all full. Luggage storage counters should be considered as a first option over lockers if the following apply to you:

Oversized luggage that does not fit into lockers
Wanting to store items at major train stations when lockers are not readily available
Sports equipment like skis, snowboards, golf bags and bicycles.
Those who are forgetful (like me) and others who like to access their luggage multiple times
Items requiring refrigerator and freezing (available at select service counters)

Luggage storage counters charge about 300-1000 yen per day per item. Cash, credit cards and IC cards are accepted forms of payment. There is no additional charge to access your stored items multiple times through the day. It should be noted that if an item is moved out of the counter premises, the storage fee will have to be paid again to re-store your item.

The Asakusa Kaminarimon Service Center offers both luggage storage and delivery services

About luggage delivery

Delivery companies in Japan provide door to door delivery of parcels, bags, suitcases and sports equipment. Pick up and drop off are available at airports, major train stations, hotels, homes and service centers. One of the ways local residents use delivery services is to send their suitcases between their homes and the airport or hotels in Japan. This allows them to travel comfortably while on public transport without having to worry about hauling heavy suitcases or inconveniencing others during their journey.

Same-day delivery is possible between some airports, stations and hotels as long as the items are dropped off at the counters before the cut-off time. The cut-off time for many places is usually before noon, but this can vary depending on location. As such, it is recommended to look it up beforehand. For most other deliveries, items are usually delivered the next day between major cities, while it takes more time for more distant locations, like from Kyoto to Hokkaido.

The cost of having an item delivered depends on the size of the item and the delivery distance from the point of origin. For example, it would cost around 1000-2000 yen (depending on size) to send a parcel from Tokyo to Kyoto, while sending a suitcase would cost around 2000-2500 yen.

Note that airport delivery usually costs a few hundred yen more.

Sagawa Express Tokyo Service Center provides luggage storage and delivery

How to use luggage storage and delivery services

How to store luggage temporarily at a luggage counter

Go to a luggage storage counter
Fill out the storage form
Pay for the service
Leave your luggage there and keep the claim ticket
Enjoy traveling luggage-free
Show the ticket at the counter when picking up your luggage

How to send luggage using a delivery service

Go to a delivery service counter
Fill out the delivery form by hand or ask the staff if there is a QR code to scan and input the details on your phone
Pay for the service
Leave your luggage there and keep the customer copy of the delivery form
Enjoy traveling luggage-free
Receive your luggage at the point of destination

Luggage delivery form. The red boxes indicate where to write the respective addresses

There may be a QR code to scan to fill out the form on your phone

Sending your luggage between hotels

If you plan to stay at different hotels or base yourself in different cities during your trip, consider having your large suitcases delivered from base to base and use only smaller bags in between. For example, send your luggage from your hotel in Tokyo to Kyoto, while you go on a side trip to Hakone with a smaller bag.